Friday, February 21st, 2025 - Hamas hostage parade; USPS takeover; MX v US gun smugglers; Elon’s CPAC chainsaw stunt

Today’s Headlines: Hamas returned the bodies of three Israeli hostages but paraded them on stage before a cheering crowd. They claimed to have returned another, but the remains were not a hostage. The U.S. labeled eight drug cartels as terrorist organizations, prompting Mexico’s president to propose stricter gun trafficking rules. Trump plans to fire USPS leadership and place it under Commerce Department control. DHS revoked TPS for Haitians, affecting half a million people. A judge ruled Trump is defying a court order on foreign aid, while another allowed federal layoffs to proceed. Governor Hochul will impose sanctions on NYC Mayor Adams instead of removing him. Kash Patel was narrowly confirmed as FBI director. Mitch McConnell announced he won’t seek reelection, and CPAC began with Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw gifted by Argentina’s president. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Telegraph: IDF says body handed over by Hamas is not Shiri Bibas Axios: Mexico targets American gun smugglers in response to naming cartels terrorists WA Post: Trump expected to take control of USPS, fire postal board, officials say AP News: Trump administration throws out protections from deportation for roughly half a million Haitians AP News: Trump administration is flouting an order to temporarily lift a freeze on foreign aid, judge says NBC News: Judge rules against union bid to block mass federal layoffs by Trump NBC News: Gov. Kathy Hochul won't remove embattled NYC Mayor Eric Adams — for now AP News: Trump loyalist Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director by the Senate despite deep Democratic doubts Axios: Mitch McConnell, 83, won't seek reelection in 2026 PBS: WATCH: Elon Musk wields ‘chainsaw for bureaucracy’ on stage before speaking at CPAC Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices